City withholds money for KPUD<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Jakarta administration revealed on Friday that it would
\nwithhold Rp 3.2 billion in operational funds for the Jakarta
\nElections Commission (KPUD) this year amid alleged irregularities
\nin the use of Rp 168 billion in election funds.<\/p>\n
\"The City Finance Bureau has yet to disburse the funds to the
\nKPUD. We plan to delay disbursement owing to the (corruption)
\ncase being investigated by the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office,\" City
\nSecretary Ritola Tasmaya announced after Friday prayers at City
\nHall.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors have named the poll commission's chairman Muhammad
\nTaufik a suspect in the case.<\/p>\n
Ritola played down the affect the disbursement delay would
\nhave on the operations of the KPUD, arguing that the commission
\nhad little work to do this year. \"Jakarta's direct regional
\nelection is in 2007. The commission still has two years to
\nprepare for it.\"<\/p>\n
Commenting on the alleged corruption case, he said Governor
\nSutiyoso had sent letters on Wednesday to the Jakarta
\nProsecutor's Office, the General Elections Commission (KPU) and
\nCity Council to explain the administration's position on the
\ncase.<\/p>\n
\"In the letter to chief prosecutor Rusdi Taher, we asked the
\noffice to coordinate with relevant institutions in its
\ninvestigation, including the Jakarta Finance Comptroller, which
\nis delving into the case at the request of the Corruption
\nEradication Commission (KPK),\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ritola said that Sutiyoso had also officially informed the KPU
\nabout the alleged KPUD corruption case.<\/p>\n
\"Since the authority lies with the KPU, we will await a
\ndecision from the KPU (on whether or not it will replace KPUD
\nofficials),\" he asserted.<\/p>\n
Prosecutor's office spokesman Haryono said the office would
\nstart quizzing witnesses on Monday, including KPUD secretary
\nAbdulah Ahmad and finance division staffer Neneng.<\/p>\n
\"We will ask them to explain the use of funds by the
\ncommission, including the commission's failure to pay up to Rp
\n4.2 billion in tax,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Besides alleged tax evasion, the KPUD has been accused of
\nquestionable tenders and marking up the price of 180,000 vests
\nworth Rp 12 billion (or Rp 71,000 per piece), far higher than the
\nmarket price of Rp 25,000.<\/p>\n
Separately, some councillors strongly opposed the plan to
\ndelay the disbursement of KPUD's operational funds this year.<\/p>\n
\"I don't think its right to delay the disbursement of
\noperational funds. The delay means more work left undone,\" said
\nthe chairman of Commission A for legal affairs, Achmad Suaidy.<\/p>\n
Councillor Vike Very Ponto asserted that the delay would deal
\na severe blow to many KPUD staff members, who may have nothing to
\ndo with the corruption case.<\/p>\n
\"I would agree to any policy to cut spending for the purchase
\nof goods, but please not the operational funds.\"<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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